Hand card



Feb. 17, 1931. J, G, GQRDEAU 1,792,831

HAND CARD Filed March 17, 1928 2 sheets-sheet 1 y |nveo1". v

Uohn G. Gourdeou byawa wrm o r l Feb. 17, 1931. J. G. GOURDEAU 1,792,831

HAND CARD AFiled March 17, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lnvenTor.

John/GK Gourdeuu bY/awg) aff o .ATyS

Patented Feb. 17, 1931 UNITED STATESl PATENT OFFICE JOHN GODFREY GOUE-BEAU, OF LVJRENC, M'SSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DAVIS &

FURBER MACHINE CGMPANY, OF NORTH ANDOVER, IASSACI-IUSETTS, A CORPORAj 'rroiv or MASSACHUSETTS HAND CARD Appneatitn fusa March 17, 192s. semaine. 262,578.

This invention relatesto a hand card such as is employed forcleaning the card clothing of carding machines' and for similar purposes. l

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and durable device of this character in which the card clothing element may readily be removed and replaced when worn or damaged or whenever required.

The object of the invention is further to provide such a device in which the card clothing element shall be stretched taut and snugly tted against the face of the base element of the device.

The object of the invention is further'to provide such a device in which the base element is made of metal, and preferably of an aluminum casting, and in which the cardV clothing element is adjustably secured thereto so as to remain taut'and snugly fitted against the face ofthe base element. Y

Thus the card clot-hing element may be made and sold as a separate article and supplied to owners ofthe original base element.

These and other objects and features of the invention will appear more fully from the accompanying description and drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the claims. ,l

As the hand card is a well known tool or device to those familiar with the carding and similar industries, it will only be necessary to describe and illustrate 4the novel construction which constitutes the present invention.

In the drawings.: I

Fig. l is aview in perspective of a hand card embodying a preferred form of thepresent invention. K g

Fig. 2 is a view in cross section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a detail in cross section taken ony embodying a different form of the invention.

line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

i A handV card essentially comprises a base element, a handle connected to the base by which-'the device is operated, and a sheet of card clothing secured to the face of the base. The base element is usually made of wood and the card clothing'is usually tacked or nailed directly thereto. The backing of the card clothing., being of leather or other flexible material having a different coeiicient of expansion to that of the wood, frequently becomes more or kless loose as the result of atmospheric or other conditions. Furthermore, the tacks work loose or are pulled out during the use of the hand card, thus not only loosening the connection of the `card clothing to the base, but presenting a source of injury or damage to the carding orl otherrmachine P necting the card clothing to the base so that it may be removed and replaced, and in such a way that it may be stretched tightly over the face of the base and all without presenting any points, tacks orfastening means in a position where they would be injured or affected by use of the device. But so far as thel latter feature of the invention is concerned, itis not necessary that the base be made Vof cast metal, or even of metal. It will also be seen thatk any section of the card clothing may be tightened up independently of the other sections.

TA simple and preferred form of the invention is shown inl Figs. l to '5, inclusive, of the drawings, wherein the base` l is a cast plate, preferably of aluminum, in order to secure lightV weight. straight, parallel edges, the lower edge 2 being here shown as the plain edge ofthe plate, with the plate reinforced a rib i3 at the back having bosses 4 to receive attach# ing screws. The upper edge 5 is rounded at 6, thus presenting a smooth, round surface over which the card clothmg' may be stretched. The upper edge projects at the bac-k of the base and is squared oli to present a sharply defined shoulder '.7 which faces toward the lower edge.

A suitable handle is formed integral with the base and projects centrally from the back thereof away 'from the lower edge. The integral portion 8 of this handle may be of soclet forni, as shown, and receive a wooden extension 9 fitted in the soclet. The handle 8 presents at its juncture with the back of the base upwardly and outwart ly flaring flanges 1() extending toward the upper edge of' the base and integral with the base and forming a recess adapted to receive the index finger of the hand of the operator grasping the handle, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4. vGn the under side of the handle there are formed grooves 11 in position to receive and position the ends of the thumb and a finger such as the second or middle linger of the hand of tie operator, as also shown in dotted lines in rllhis handle also is conveniently provided with a strap 12 to encircle the wrist of the operative and thus give a iirnier grip on the hand card when in use. To secure this strap in place, the handle on its under side is recessed and formed with a transverse bar 13, around which this strap passe. This bar also serves to reinforce the handle. This construction of recess, grooves and strap enables the operative to have an easy, positive and firm grip on the hand card under all conditions.

rlhe card clothing is 'formed of the usual flexible sheet ot' leather 14- or other suitable material with the usual bent wire teeth 15 therein and projecting from the face thereof.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5,

' inclusive, the lower edge of the sheet of cart clothingl is detachably secured directly to the lower edge of the base. As a suitable means for this purpose, a rigid binding strip 16 of metal L-shape in cross section is provided. riChe lower edge of the sheet of card clothing is bent upwardly around the edge 2 of the back and is clamped between this binding strip and the lower edge of the base. The edge of the card clothing` is also bent downwardly so as to extend over the upturned flange of the binding strip 16 as shown at 1'?. 'll his produces a very lirni grip on the edge ot the card clothing and with the provision of the rib 3 renders it pi.cticallyf impossible for dirt or lint te worl: iu between the base and the card clothing element. rlhe binding strip 1.6 and the card clothing are clamped in place by screws .18 having their heads seated in depressions in the strip 16 and projectingl up through the card clothing and are threaded into the bosses elon the base. The edge of the card clothing is formed with apertures 19 to receive tne screws and the sheet of card clothing is countersunk at 20 at these apertures to receive the depressions in the strip 1G. j

In this construction the upper or free edge of the sheet of card clothing has detachably secured thereto a rigid binding strip which in the construction illustrated is made of 'two plates 21, which is L-shaped in cross section, and 22, which is flat, between which the edge of the sheet oi card clothing is detachably secured by means of threaded studs 23 having their heads 2% fiat and resting in depressions in the strip 21. The edge of the card clothing which is thus clamped is likewise formed with apertures 25 countersunk at 26 to receive lthe studs and the depressions in the strip 21, while the terminal edge of the card clothing` l-iis bent baci-.r at 2T to fit over the edge of the strip 22, thus insuring a iir n grip.

llhen the lower edge of the sheet of card clothing has been clamped. to the lower edge of the base, the upper edge is brought up around and over the rounded edge G ot' the base and the sheet of card clothing is then secured at the back of the base. The sheet of card clothing is made of such size that when attached at the lower edge and when the rigid binding strip plates 21 and 22 are attached, the edge of the strip 22 will rest against the shoulder 'l' of the base so that as the edge of the card clothing with the binding` strip attached is pressed down toward the back of the base, there will be a cumming or lever action which stretches the sheet or" card clothing taut against the face of the base and this will usually be a sufficient stretching of the card clothinguntil the hand card has been in use for some time.

Suitable means are provided for securing the upper edge of the sheet of card clothing to the base and also for drawing relatively toward each other the upper and lower edges of the sheet of card clothing. In the construction illustrated, a plurality of longitudinally adjustable connectors are employed. As shown, each of these comprises an internally threaded tube 28 and a threaded stud 29 engaging the tube and passed through a lug 30 projecting integrally from the back of the base. This stud has a slotted head 31 abutting the lug. The tubular member 28 of the connection is also 'formed to serve as a nut for the stud 23. For this purpose a flattened prolongation 32 is threaded to fit the stud 23. Thus in assembling the parts before the screw 29 and the tube 28 are connected, the tubular member 28 and the stud 23 are screwed together, thus firmly clamping the plates 21 and 22 with the interposed edge of the card clothbacking together.

lt will be seen, when the parts are assembled as illustrated, that by screwing the studs 29 into the tubes 28, the sheet of card clothing can be further tightened up snugly against the, face of the base whenever it becomes loose. The lugs 30 engaging the studs 31 Vact toprevent any laternal movement of the connectors relatively to the base and consequently any lateral movement between the sheet of card clothing and the base, although in this form of the device such relativeA lateral movement is chiefly prevented by the connection of the lower edge of thesheet to the lower edge of the base and by flanges 33 formed at the side of the base and extending past the side. edges of the card clothing 14. lt will alsoV be seen that if atmospheric or other conditions cause the sheet of card clothing to loosen, it can readily be restored to its tight, snug lit by adjustment of these connectors. It will also be seen that as the sheet of card clothing is not tacked or nailed to the base, the wire teeth may be brought close up to the side edges of the base, thus enlarging the effective area of the card clothing without enlarging the area of the base. It will also be seen that when the sheet of card clothing becomes worn or damaged, it may readily be removed from the base and a new sheet of card clothing substituted therefor. It will also be seen that the plurality of adjustable connectors provided enables the sheet of card clot-hing to be adjusted at any section of its width independently of the other sections, so that if any section becomes slack for any reason whatever, that section may readily be tightened.

The construction is such asto produce a very strong and durable hand card. The cast metal base may be made quite thin because it is strengthened and reinforced by the rib 3 and the edge 5 and by the flanges 33. The latter flanges also guard the edges of the card clothing against injury if the operative pounds the hand card toknock off dirt or lint. The tubular members 23 of the connectors are so arranged preferably as to rest against the back of the base, as shown in Fig. 2, which gives additional solidity and prevents any looseness ofthe parts. l

The card clothing element will preferably be made in a form exactly to lit the clamping plates and the base and furnished in this form so that all the operative has to dotto make a replacement is to remove the old sheet of card clothing, remove the clamping plates, place them in position on the new sheet of card clothing and then attach it to the base in the manner described. The card clothing element will therefore be made as shown particularly in cross section in Fig. 5.

It is thus rectangular shaped' having the bentV wire teeth 15 set therein and projecting from the face throughout its area except at the two longer edges, where there are narrow Zones, the one at theV upper edge being rela-Y tively wider than that at the lower edge, without any teeth. The terminal edges of the strip at these Zones extend as noted at right angles to the sheet and the terminal edge at the lower edge is again bent at right angles, as shown at 17. Thus there is formed at the terminal longer edges of the sheet well defined shoulders which are adapted; to fit against the binding strips or plates. It will also be noted that a plurality of apertures extend through the sheet adjacent these longer edges and that these apertures arev countersunk at the face of the sheet for the purpose already described of receiving the clamping screws and the depressions in theV binding strips or plates. The sheet of card clothing is preferably formed to present this construction by moistening or wetting the zones at ,the longer edges where there are no teeth and then punching and molding these Zonal portions to ,bring them into the desired shape, as shown in Fig. 5,

the upper and lower edges of the hase are formed with the Arounded beads 34 to present rounded, smooth edges and the sheet of card clothing 35 is not secured directly to the base at either edge, but both the upper edge 36 and the lower edge 37 are brought around to 1 the back of the base and these edges are directly connected by the longitudinally, ad'- justabl'e connectors so that these edges are drawn toward each other by the connectors to stretch thesheet taut against the face of the base. v Y

It willbe Obvious that the lower edge of the vsheet where it passes over to the back of the base is cut away to provide for the handle 38.

In thisV constructionboth the upper and lower edges are provided withrigid binding strips of the character already described in connection with the upper edge of the sheet shown in Figs. l and 2. Each of these binding strips in this construction has secured thereto the internally threaded tubes39 and these tubes in each case `are connected by a right and left-hand threaded stud 40 hav-V ing near the center a polygonal section 4l to receive a wrench. Theserstuds 4:0 preferably pa-ss through slotted lugs' 4Q, projectingup-` wardly from the base so as to prevent any lateral movement of the card clothing sheet` stri ps and base, it is nevertheless to be under- 'Jil stood that this separate card clothing element may have combined with it the binding strips and be furnished therewith as a repair or replacement part.

lt will thus be seen that the invention presents a very simple, durable hand card in which the card clot-hing may readily be rcmoved and replaced and in which Linder' all conditions it may readily be adjusted throughout or at any section of its width and maintained taut and snug against the face of the base, thus producing a very eicient instrument. Y Y

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

l. A hand card comprising a base having a conveXly curved face with parallel Lipper and lower edges, a handle projecting from the baclr of the base, a flexible sheet of card clothing on the face of the base with its lower edge detachably secured to the base and with its upper edge extending around the upper edge of the base to the back thereof, a rigid binding strip secured to the upper edge of the sheet overlying the back of the base, and adjustable connecting means mounted on the back of the base engaging the binding strip and operable to draw the upper edge of the sheet toward the lower edge thereof, thereby to maintain the sheet taut and snugly litted against the face of the base.

2. A hand card comprising a base having parallel upper and lower edges, a handle projecting from the back of the base, a flexible sheet of card clothing on the face of the base with its lower edge detachably secured to the base and with its upper edge extending around the upper edge of the base to the back thereof, a rigid binding strip detachably secured to the upper edge of the sheet overlying the back of the base, a plurality of longitudinally adjustable screw connectors detachably secured to said binding strip and eX- tending in parallelism from the binding strip to points therebelow on the back of the base and operable to draw the upper edge of the sheet toward the lower edge thereof thereby to maintain 'the sheet taut and snugly fitted against the face of the base.

3. A hand card comprising a base having parallel upper and lower edges, a handle projecting from the back of the base, a flexible sheet of card clothing on the face of the base, a plurality of longitudinally adjustable connectors at the back of the base for drawing together relatively the upper and lower edges of the sheet thereby to maintain the sheet taut and snugly fitted against the face of the base, and means projecting from the back of the base in engagement with the said con nectors acting to prevent lateral movement between the connectors and the base and consequently between the sheet and the base.

4. A hand card comprising a met-al base having a baclrwardly curved, straight upper edge and a parallel lower edge, a handle projecting from the back of the base, a flexible sheet of card clothing on the face of the base with its upper edge extending around the upper edge of the base to the back thereof, a rigid binding strip engaging the lower edge of said sheet, means for detachably clamping the lower edge of the sheet between said lower binding strip and the lower edge of the base, a rigid binding strip detachabljyY secured to the upper edge of the sheet at the bach of the base, and adjustable connecting means mounted on the back of the base detachably engaging the upper binding strip, operable to draw the upper edge of the sheet toward the lower edge thereof thereby to maintain the sheet taut and snugly fitted against the face of the base.

5. A hand card having the construction defined in claim 3, in which threaded studs pass through the upper rigid binding strip and the flexible sheet of card clothing and the screw connectors form nuts threaded on the studs therewith clamping the binding strip and sheet together.

6. A hand card comprising a metal base iaving a straight, rounded upper edge presenting a sharply defined shoulder at the back of the base facing the lower edge, a handle projecting from the back of the base, lisible sheet of card clothing on the face of the base detachably secured to the base at the lower edge and extending around the upper edge of the back of the base, a metal strip secured to the upper edge of the card clothing on the face adjacent the base and adapted to engage the aforesaid shoulder when the upper edge of the card clothing is bent around the upper edge of the base and thus to stretch the card clothin taut against the face of the base and adjustable means for securing the upper edge of the card clothing, when thus stretched, in place at the back of the base.

7. A hand card comprising the construe tion defined in claim 6, in which the said securing means comprises a plurality of longitudinally adjustable screw connectors ertending in parallelism from the binding strip to points therebelow on the back of the base and operable to draw the upper edge of the sheet of card clothing toward the lower edge.

8. A hand card comprising a metal base having a straight, rounded upper edge, presenting sharply defined shoulder at the bach of the base facing the lower edge, a handle projecting from the back of the base, a flexible sheet of card clothing on the face of the base detachably secured to the base at the lower edge and extending around the upper edge to the bach of the base, a pair of metal clamping strips engaging the opposite faces of the upper edge of the card clothing, screws passing through said strips and card clothing, a plurality of longitudinally adjustable screw connectors threaded respectively to the screws passing through the clamping strips and constituting nuts therefor, the metal clamping strip on the face of the sheet of card clothing adjacent the base adapted to engage the aforesaid shoulder when the upper edge of the card clothing is bent around the upper edge of the hase and thus to stretch the said card clothing taut against the face of the hase, the said screw connectors eX- tending in parallelism from the binding strips to points therebelow on the hack of the hase and acting to secure the upper edge of the card clothing, when stretched over the said shoulder, in place at the back of thebase and operable further to draw the upper edge Vof the card clothing toward the lower edge.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN GODFREY GOURDEAU. 

